TEHRAN- A Pakistani naval fleet, in a gesture of peace and friendship, arrived in Iran's Bandar Abbas on Saturday morning.

The fleet, comprising two warships, entered Iranian waters to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance educational exchanges between the navies of the two countries.

Iranian Navy commanders in Hormozgan province, southern Iran, officially welcomed the fleet.

During its three-day stay in Bandar Abbas, the fleet will pay visits to the city's tourist attractions, cultural landmarks, and commercial hubs. It will also meet with Iranian Navy commanders and pay tribute to the martyrs of the Sacred Defense by visiting the Bandar Abbas Martyrs' Golzar. The fleet will also hold a spiritual ceremony centered around the Holy Quran.

A joint naval exercise between the Iranian and Pakistani navies is scheduled in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

On the sidelines of the welcoming ceremony for the Pakistani fleet, Rear Admiral Farhad Fattahi, Deputy of the Iranian Navy's First Imamate Zone, expressed his satisfaction with the visit, stating that it "promotes educational interactions, exchange of experiences, and the conduct of a series of exercises."

Pakistan Navy Fleet Commander Admiral Bilal appreciated the warm welcome extended by Iran, saying, "Today we are witnessing the docking of the Pakistan Navy fleet comprising the Zob Darya security ship and the Maddgar support ship."

He added, "We value and respect the good relations between the navies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan."

Admiral Bilal expressed his hope that the fleet's three-day visit to Bandar Abbas would further strengthen and expand ties between the Iranian and Pakistani navies through the exchange of experiences and educational interactions.

On the sidelines of the welcoming ceremony for the Pakistani fleet, Rear Admiral Farhad Fattahi, Deputy of the Iranian Navy's First Imamate Zone, expressed his satisfaction with the presence of the Pakistani Training Combat Group in Iranian waters. He highlighted the importance of such visits in promoting educational interactions, exchanging experiences, and conducting joint exercises.

"These visits facilitate the exchange of expertise and skills," remarked Admiral Fattahi, emphasizing the mutual benefits of bilateral naval cooperation. He further underscored that Pakistan's fleet's presence will enhance combat training interactions and maritime experience sharing between the two countries.

Cooperation between Iran and Pakistan aims to promote peace and friendship, enhance educational and technical interactions, and foster the transfer of expertise and skills while also contributing to the development of defense and military diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz and the Oman Sea.